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Who will recognize a great book better than a bookstore? A bookstore run by graphic designers. Here’s why: at MENDO we get market feedback seven days a week, we are blessed to be surrounded by a bunch of talented, inspiring people – photographers, writers and publishers – and after being a bookstore for more than 15 years, we can easily say we know what book aficionados are looking for. Don’t you agree that initiating, creating and realizing jaw-dropping books now, only comes natural?

A MENDO publication is a well-designed book with visually stunning creative content, browsed by people to be amazed and inspired. The subject-matter is one of our pre-defined curated categories, fashion, photography, interior, sport, lifestyle, food and traveling. In general, a MENDO book is a piece of furniture in itself.

Back in November 2016, it was reported that Cuban revolutionary Fidel Castro had died. The former prime minster and president’s death signified political changes which had been unravelling in the socialist paradise over the past decade, so London-based photographer Joshua Osborne decided to seize the opportunity for a holiday before the country developed beyond recognition. But when he got to Havana, Josh found himself captivated not by the country’s picture-postcard past but by its future: youth.

The result is Habanaboy, a self-published book, designed by Joe Joiner with a foreword written by Dazed arts and culture editor Ashleigh Kane.

"It’s a portrait book of street-casted boys that I found interesting whilst staying in the capital,” Josh explains. “The project developed further the longer I stayed, and I began exploring the different subcultures and urban tribes that exist in modern Havana including the reggaeton, skate and drag scenes. I also interviewed some of the boys with the translation help of two Habaneros that are now very close friends of mine to gauge opinions and a clearer insight into what life is really like out there away from the tourist idea of salsa, rum and cigars.”

"It’s a portrait book of street-casted boys that I found interesting whilst staying in the capital,” Josh explains. “The project developed further the longer I stayed, and I began exploring the different subcultures and urban tribes that exist in modern Havana including the reggaeton, skate and drag scenes. I also interviewed some of the boys with the translation help of two Habaneros that are now very close friends of mine to gauge opinions and a clearer insight into what life is really like out there away from the tourist idea of salsa, rum and cigars.”